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Library system forced deal with budget cuts

Nearly a year after voters defeated a levy lift, the Kitsap County Library system has cut its costs and cleaned up its finances.

Were getting our spending in line with our income, said KRL Director Jill Jean. Before, we always had the ability to get the money we needed in order to expand or do whatever we wanted to do. Now, the economy is worsening, and were hearing that we need to live within our means like everybody else.

The most noticeable cost-cutting measures were implemented in January, with a cutback in hours and a fine increase. Jean said the measures had already saved money and predicted that branch hours would be cut again.

This corresponds with an increase in the self-service aspect of the library, wherein patrons can check out their own books using automatic machines.

Were not filling a number of vacant positions, Jean said, so were saving a lot of money on staffing.

One of the biggest savings was not replacing Administrative Services Director Fernando Conill, who retired.

While Conills human resources responsibilities were distributed among existing staff, his budgeting work was assumed by Bob Goldstein, a Seattle resident who was hired as the part-time chief financial director.

Jean, who worked with Goldstein in the Seattle Public Library system, credited his ability to help the system operate within the budget.

He has given us hope, she said. If we get our spending in line it will postpone our needing to go to the voters for more money.

Since losing last Mays vote the KRL board has repeatedly discussed the if and when of another levy attempt.

For a time, it appeared it would go for another vote in 2007, but that didnt happen.

Jean said another levy attempt would occur, adding that it would probably be the last time KRL would be able to float such a proposal. For that reason, she said she would not make this attempt until all possible spending has been cut and we have done everything we can to save money.?

I hate cutting hours and raising fees, she said. But we must do these things in order to stay within our means.?

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